1. ISBN13: 9780679746690
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Editorial Review :

In the late 1970s Ondaatje returned to his native island of Sri Lanka. As he records his journey through the drug-like heat and intoxicating fragrances of that "pendant off the ear of India," Ondaatje simultaneously retraces the baroque mythology of his Dutch-Ceylonese family. An inspired travel narrative and family memoir by an exceptional writer.

Customer Review :

A Favorite Memoir

I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its exotic locale and irreverent description of the author's own family. In fact, it made me laugh out loud in places.

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Irritating

Ondaatje seems to be trying too hard. The language is overly flowery and the plot is often lost beneath the mound of words. It does have a few good moments, some funny, some touching. But in general, I spent most of this book irritated by the grandois manner of the author, as if by writing in a vague and pretty-fied manner, his words will sound important and deep.
Maybe it's just me, but I find that vague does NOT equal meaningful.

Rating :

Even Better Than The English Patient

Ondaatje at his loftily lyrical, yet unpretentious best. An undoubted favorite among Canadian literary memoirs, this is the story of Michael Ondaatje's crazy family, who were among the ruling class in colonial Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka. The writing is a beautiful spectacle but the content is highly personal, at times almost vulnerable for all the impenetrability of the prose.

Also the book is very funny. Ondaatje views his family as ridiculous and distances himself from them, but does so with an unmistakable love. Any scorn (a feeling anyone with a ridiculous family will find reflexive and familiar) seems squeezed out and we are left with a sense of reconciliation and the poetry of all things.

Rating :

Remembering Family

I read this book for a Canadian fiction class and really liked it. The language was so interesting and different from anything I had read before. It is a wonderful story about a wacky family. There are good times, bad times, funny stories, tragic stories, and just plain wacky events. It really makes you want to take a look into your own family and find out all of the "juicy" details. I really liked the book and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting story.

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Tigers

The times in the recent past that we have read about Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, in the newspapers has concerned the Tamil Tigers who have finally been crushed and one wonders if they were fighting against a government controlled by Ondaatje-type people. The author's father was such a dedicated drunkard that its possible he actually was schizophrenic. I like the author best for his humorous detail but he never seems to get hold of a story too well and kind of staggers around with the shreds of it. At the end, I wondered was Doris his mother name or his stepmother's. Kudos to his mother for actually leaving his father and going to England where she earned her own living. The author doesn't think much of her but I do. What a brave woman. Is the author also a drunkard, I wonder?

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More reviews...

1. ISBN13: 9781741048353
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Editorial Review :

Lonely Planet knows Sri Lanka. With our 11th edition we help you board the train to the lush tea plantations of Ella, show you where the spotten leopards hide, lead you to Sigiriya's mysterious ancient ruins and when your adventuring is done, reveal the nation's most-secluded beaches.

Lonely Planet guides are written by experts who get to the heart of every destination they visit. This fully updated edition is packed with accurate, practical and honest advice, designed to give you the information you need to make the most of your trip.

In This Guide:

Complete national-parks table leads you to the best elephant-spotting
Detailed research on safe travel
Unique Green Index directs you to sustainable listings

Customer Review :

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1. ISBN13: 9781848360693
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Editorial Review :

"The Rough Guide to Sri Lanka" is the definitive travel guide with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best attractions Sri Lanka has to offer. Get the low-down on one of the world's most beautiful islands, with in-depth coverage of Sri Lanka's superb beaches, magnificent wildlife, verdant tea plantations and majestic Buddhist remains. The guide includes practical information on getting there and around, plus reviews of the best Sri Lanka hotels, from serene oceanside Ayurveda retreats to atmospheric colonial-era tea estate bungalows, and Sri Lanka restaurants, bars and Sri Lankan shopping for all budgets. You'll find introductory sections on Sri Lanka food, drink, health, cultural customs and outdoor activities as well as specialist Sri Lanka tour operators and colour inserts on tea, Buddhism and the island's highlights with inspirational colour photography throughout. Rely on expert background on everything from the history of the ancient Buddhist kingdoms through to the contemporary political scene in Sri Lanka and traditional Sri Lankan dance. Explore all corners of this fascinating country with the clearest Sri Lanka maps of any guide. Make the most of your holiday with "The Rough Guide to Sri Lanka".

Customer Review :

Rough Guide or Lonely Planet Guides

Rough Guides are always great. Detailed colorful and accurate with great maps. Its always a toss up Lonely Planet or Rough Guide. They are both very well done. I usually buy both so I am covered - but if I only had the money to buy one it would be Rough Guide. (assuming it is a recent published version) The Rough Guide to Sri Lanka (Rough Guides)

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Editorial Review :

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Editorial Review :

This fully updated new edition features illuminating text written by Sri Lanka's expert, local writers, alongside inspiring full-colour photography, including outstanding double page spreads. The top attractions are highlighted to help you plan your trip priorities, whether they be to explore Kandy, Sri Lanka's cultural capital, or the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela. A brand new 'Editor's Choice' section reveals the author's inside take on quirky and interesting things see and to do, including the best locations to see the island's wildlife and stunning scenery. 'History' and 'Features' sections provide an insightful background to the country's rich and interesting heritage, as well as its current culture. An in-depth 'Places' section covers the entire country, region by region, with all the principal sites such as Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura cross-referenced by number to accompanying full-colour maps. Additional maps inside the front and back covers enable instant orientation and easy navigation at a glance. A comprehensive 'Travel Tips' section provides essential practical information, covering transport, visas and passports, health and safety, accommodation for all budgets, climate and much more, along with useful contact telephone numbers to help you book activities in advance. The A-Z of practical information also contains essential advice for women travellers. The unique combination of insightful exploration alongside practical advice means that this guide truly is a pleasure to read before, during and after your visit.

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